- Library Home /
- Search Collections /
- Open Collections /
- Browse Collections /
- UBC Theses and Dissertations /
- Students' conceptual understanding of calculus
Open Collections
UBC Theses and Dissertations
UBC Theses and Dissertations
Students' conceptual understanding of calculus Gooya, Zahra
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify the nature of students' conceptual understanding of two concepts of calculus namely, derivative and function. As a way of collecting data two methods were employed: (a) modification of Piagetean clinical interview; and, (b) tutorial sessions. Whenever the students seemed to be confused about the issues being discussed, the researcher provided instructions through the tutorial sessions. The analysis of data was done by developing individual profiles and by response categories. It was found that the interview methodology was effective in revealing some aspects of students' concept images. The students were found to have little meaningful understanding of derivative. A number of students held proper concept images of function which should lead to the development of an appropriate concept definition. It was also evident from the study that students had adequate skill in using algorithm to solve problems. The results of the study would be useful to the instructors of calculus. It was suggested that introducing a concept by its formal definition would contribute to students' confusions and difficulties. Yet if a concept is presented by means of meaningful examples, students had better opportunity to develop their concept images. Thus leading them to form concept definitions. The researcher strongly recommended that more challenging exercises be posed to the students in problem-solving situations.
Item Metadata
Title |
Students' conceptual understanding of calculus
|
Creator | |
Publisher |
University of British Columbia
|
Date Issued |
1988
|
Description |
The purpose of this study was to identify the nature of students' conceptual understanding of two concepts of calculus namely, derivative and function. As a way of collecting data two methods were employed: (a) modification of Piagetean clinical interview; and, (b) tutorial sessions. Whenever the students seemed to be confused about the issues being discussed, the researcher provided instructions through the tutorial sessions.
The analysis of data was done by developing individual profiles and by response categories. It was found that the interview methodology was effective in revealing some aspects of students' concept images. The students were found to have little meaningful understanding of derivative. A number of students held proper concept images of function which should lead to the development of an appropriate concept definition. It was also evident from the study that students had adequate skill in using algorithm to solve problems.
The results of the study would be useful to the instructors of calculus. It was suggested that introducing a concept by its formal definition would contribute to students' confusions and difficulties. Yet if a concept is presented by means of meaningful examples, students had better opportunity to develop their concept images. Thus leading them to form concept definitions. The researcher strongly recommended that more challenging exercises be posed to the students in problem-solving situations.
|
Genre | |
Type | |
Language |
eng
|
Date Available |
2010-08-31
|
Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
|
Rights |
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
|
DOI |
10.14288/1.0097722
|
URI | |
Degree | |
Program | |
Affiliation | |
Degree Grantor |
University of British Columbia
|
Campus | |
Scholarly Level |
Graduate
|
Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
|
Item Media
Item Citations and Data
Rights
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.